Part 1 - Subaru pre-purchase inspection

As we begin the process of converting our Vanagon to a SubaruVanagon we want to start with the best condition Subaru engine we can find. These engines are known for their longevity but it never hurts to take a little extra time and make sure its in good condition before buying the donor vehicle. A compression test is also a good baseline if you've already purchased a donor Subaru Legacy/Impreza/Forester. Fluid checks also indicate whether the owner has taken good care of the car or not - low power steering fluid, for example, could indicate that the owner didn't pay great attention to detail with the maintenance of the Subaru.

This article explains how to do a quick compression test and some basic things to look for when buying a Subaru for a Bus or Vanagon engine swap.

Overview and Approximate Time Needed :

Steps

Process Description

~ Time (min)

1

Check fluids

10

2

Remove spark plugs and unplug Ignitor

15

3

Perform compression test

15

4

Re-install spark plugs, wires, and Ignitor

20

 

 

 

 

* Approximate Total Time =

60

*A mechanically inclined person should reserve a half hour to complete this process.  For someone new to working on cars, this may take an hour or two. 

 Tools needed:

1.       Shop towels to check fluids

2.       Ratchet with extensions and spark plug socket and swivel adapter

3.       Compression tester

4.       Electrical tape

 

This Legacy pans out! Aside from a bad throwout bearing, due to faulty clutch linkage at the transmission, we are ready to start our project and have an EJ22 in good shape. Let's move it into the garage and start pulling the engine and wiring harness.